Use of “Noise Audits” in Characterizing and Reducing Appliance Noise

Appliances and other consumer products often share some common traits that impact both the acoustical measurement techniques that can be employed to characterize their noise output, as well as the noise control options available. These traits include their relatively small size, low profit margin, and quick time to market. Their small size implies that existing units or prototypes can usually be set up for acoustical measurements and evaluations inside a modestly sized, easy to build reverberation room. Low profit margins imply that design solutions, rather than the addition of “acoustical” materials, constitute the preferred route to a quieter product, but the quick time to market can sometimes work against this approach.